SEMI Launches "High Tech U" For Secondary Students In Crolles, 27-29 March

SEMI Launches "High Tech U" For Secondary Students In Crolles, 27-29 March; Program Aims To Inspire Next Generation Of High Tech Innovators

Global Industry Association Partners with Local Industry, Education Community, to Present Innovative Math- and Science-Based Program for First Time in Europe

CROLLES – 27 March 2007 – SEMI, a global industry association, today launched its acclaimed High Tech U program for secondary students in Crolles. Hosted by SEMI in partnership with Soitec, STMicroelectronics, and Grenoble Institute of Technology (INP Grenoble), High Tech U introduces students to the science of making semiconductors and to career opportunities available within the high-tech industries. This is the first presentation of the program in Europe. Approximately 40 secondary school students will attend from Lycee du Gresivaudan, and Lycee Mounier.

High Tech U was created by SEMI and is administered by the SEMI Foundation as a way of increasing student interest in science and math and careers in high technology. There is also a version of the program for secondary school teachers. The highly interactive three-day curriculum includes hands-on experiments that demonstrate semiconductor manufacturing concepts and explain microchip logic.

"Expansion of the program to France is a major milestone, and we’re extremely pleased that the first SEMI High Tech U in Europe is being held here in Crolles," said Heinz Kundert, president of SEMI Europe.

Mike Thompson, group vice president and general manager of STMicroelectronics, explained his company’s support for High Tech U, saying, “We are committed to endeavors that promote science and technology education, and our company offers many opportunities to new generations of technicians and engineers interested in innovation. High Tech U will help prepare students for exciting careers at STMicroelectronics and other high tech companies.”

Added Patrick Cogez, university liaison at STMicroelectronics, and company coordinator for the March High Tech U program, “This is a very exciting program, which perfectly illustrates our strong involvement with the education and research communities. It shows our commitment to the “Grenoble Pole’s excellence” in micro- and nano-electronics on a long-term basis.”

“High Tech U” has introduced thousands of secondary students in the US to the many exciting career possibilities in our industry,” said André-Jacques Auberton-Hervé, president, CEO, and chairman, Soitec, and SEMI board member. “By bringing this innovative program to France we are helping to build our high tech workforce of tomorrow.”

Paul Jacquet, president of INP Grenoble, said, “This program comports with INP Grenoble programs and activities that strengthen student interest in scientific subjects. Because High Tech U is more ‘play-oriented’ and more interactive, it represents an innovative approach to training, research and preparation for industry careers. Consistent with INP Grenoble’s policy, we believe initiatives like this are critical for the future of high-tech enterprises in France.”

Since High Tech U began in 2001, 52 programs have been delivered to over 1300 students and more than 250 teachers in the U.S. and Singapore. Through teacher course curriculum integration nearly 20,000 students have been reached. SEMI is also introducing High Tech U in Japan this year.

The Soitec Group is the world’s leading innovator and provider of the engineered substrates that serve as the foundation for today’s most advanced electronic products and nanotechnologies. Headquartered in Bernin, France, the company manufactures its comprehensive portfolio of engineered substrates, including silicon-on-insulator (SOI) and strained SOI (sSOI), using Soitec’s proprietary Smart Cut technology— the de facto industry standard. With its strong global presence, patented technology and industry-leading production capacity, Soitec is helping to drive the performance and power advantages that are key to the smaller, more power efficient, and increasingly mobile electronic products favored by consumers worldwide. Both shares and convertible bonds are listed on Euronext Paris. For more information, visit the company's website located at www.soitec.com.

About STMicroelectronics:

STMicroelectronics is a global leader in developing and delivering semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications. An unrivalled combination of silicon and system expertise, manufacturing strength, Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio and strategic partners positions the Company at the forefront of System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and its products play a key role in enabling today's convergence markets. The Company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on Euronext Paris and on the Milan Stock Exchange. In 2006, the Company's net revenues were $9.85 billion and net earnings were $782 million. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com .

About Grenoble Institute of Technology (INP Grenoble):

Grenoble Institute of Technology (INP Grenoble), a leading European University of Technology, trains 5,200 students every year. It is the main French center for training of engineers and PhD students, annually graduating 1,150 engineers and 180 PhDs. With 38 laboratories, and a Masters and Doctorate Schools College, Grenoble Institute of Technology is a major world research center in energy, environment, information and communication, materials, micro and nanotechnologies, and production systems. INP Grenoble is a founding member of Minatec, the first European center dedicated to micro and nanotechnologies, and has a leading role in two industrial clusters: Minalogic (micro and nanotechnologies, embedded software) and Tenerrdis (renewable energies). For more information visit: www.inpg.fr.

About SEMI and the SEMI Foundation

The non-profit SEMI Foundation was established in 2001 to encourage students to stay in school; take math, science and technology courses; and see that they can have a bright future in the microelectronics industry. The Foundation accomplishes its mission through several workforce development initiatives, including the “High Tech U” for high school students, “High Tech U Teacher Edition” and educational scholarships. The Foundation has embarked on an ambitious strategic plan to introduce the beneficial programs to semiconductor manufacturing regions within Asia and Europe, while continuing to expand the program in the U.S.